Apparatus for washing and drying fabrics



Nov. 19, 1957 w. A. JOHNSTON 2,813,414

APPARATUS FOR WASHING AND DRYING FABRICS Filed. May 27, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR J 7a WILLlA- o uusrow BY g 1 TORNEY Nov. 19, 1957 w. A. JOHNSTON APPARATUS FOR WASHING AND DRYING FABRICS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 27, 1955 INVENTOR WILLIAM muonnswu ATTORNEY.

Nov. 19, 1957 w. A. JOHNSTON 2,813,414

APPARATUS FOR WASHING AND DRYING FABRICS Filed May 27, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 III INVENTOR WlLLiAM A JQ HNSTQN ATTORN EY 1957 w. A. JOHNSTON APPARATUS FOR WASHING AND DRYING FABRICS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 2'7, 1955 INVENTOR WILLIAM ILJOHNSTON ATTORNEY Nov. 19, 1957 w. A. JOHNSTON APPARATUS FOR WASHING AND DRYING FABRICS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 27, 1955 ATTORNEY United States Patent APPARATUS FOR WASHINGAND DRYING FABRICS William A. Johnston, Mansfield, Ohio, assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a

corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 27,1955, Serial No. 511,675 2 Claims. or. 68-20) washer-drier, the admission of water to the duct system during washing or other periods when the body of Water in the machine is agitated.

The invention is preferably applied to a washer-dryer of the type having a perforate basket rotatable about a generally horizontal axis for tumbling the fabrics Within a chamber during washing and drying periods. The basket has an access opening in the front side thereof and a chute inclined upwardly and forwardly from the opening, provides access to the basket. During drying periods, moist air is translated from the chamber through a duct system in which the air is dried and heated before being returned to the chamber for the vaporization of water from the fabrics. In accordance with the invention, the duct structure terminates in a valve mechanism carried by the underside of the chute and the arrangement is such that the heated air discharged from the valve passes through an opening in the bottom of the chute and thence through the access opening of the basket directly upon the tumbling fabrics. During Washing periods, the valve is closed to preclude the entrance of water into the duct structure, it being understood that the air opening in the chute is subject to the splashing, agitated water in the chamber. The valve is preferably actuated by an electromagnet and may be interlocked with the air heater so that heating is carried out only when the valve is actuated to its open position.

The foregoing and other objects are effected by the invention as will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a washer-dryer constructed in accordance with the invention, the outer housing of which is shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a front view in section taken along the line II-II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line III-4H of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section taken along the lines IVIV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view of a detail shown in the preceding views and is taken along the lines V--V of Fig. 6;

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the line V I-VI of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 with the apparatus in a different position; and

Fig. 8 is a section of a detail taken along line VIII-VIII of Fig. 1.

Reference will now be had to the drawings wherein the invention is disclosed applied to a domestic clothes washing and drying machine including a washing and drying unit, generally indicated at 10 and suitably supported within a housing 11. p The latter includes a front Patented Nov. 19, 1957 2 wall 12 having an upper portion 13 inclined upwardly and rearwardly of the machine and provided with an access opening indicated at 14. The latter is closed by a suitable door structure 15 hinged, in any suitable manner, as shown at 16, to the front Wall 12 of the housing.

The washing and drying unit-10 is supported within the housing in any suitable manner but. is preferably suspended from a supporting rod 17, the latter being carried by the housing 11. Further reference to this supporting means is referred to hereinafter. The unit 10 includes a tub or casing structure 18 enclosing a generally cylindrical washing and drying chamber 19 and an arcuate condensing compartment 21, the latter communicating with the chamber 19 by means of an opening 22 at the bottom of the chamber 19. The bottom portion of the condensing compartment 21 beneath the opening 22 defines a sump 23 from which water may be drained from the casing 18 by means of a conduit 24 as described hereinafter. The casing 18 is providedwith a front wall 25 which includes a chute 26 inclined upwardly and forwardly of the wall member 25. As set forth hereinafter, there may be relative movement between the unit 10 and the housing 11 so that a flexible wall or boot 27 is provided between these members. As best shown in Fig. 3, the boot 27 is connected to the outer end of the chute 26 and peripherally thereof, the opposite or outer end of the boot 27 being fixed to the front wall 13 peripherally of the access opening 14 therein. The boot 27 and the chute 26 enclose a relatively large access passage 28 for the ingress and egress of fabrics to and from the casing 18.

During treatment, the fabrics are tumbled within a rotating basket 31, a portion of which is perforate, a number of perforations being indicated at 32. The basket 31 is disposed for rotation about a generallyhorizontal axis within the tub 18 and, in thisconnection, is provided with a shaft 33 extending rearwardly of the basket 31 and suitably journaled in a bearing structure 34. The latteris carried by a rear wall 35 of the casing structure 18. The basket 31 is provided with a relatively large opening 36 at the front side thereof which registers with the access passage 28 in the chute structure26. During slow speed rotation of the basket 31, the tumbling of the fabrics is promoted by a plurality of vanes 37 extending radially inwardly within the basket 31. i p

Rotation of the basket at relatively low speed of, for example, 45 R. P. M. during washing and drying periods and at a relatively high speed of approximately R. P. M. during centrifuging periods is effected by an adjustable two speed mechanism, generally indicated at 38 and driven by an electric motor 39 through a flexible coupling 41. (See Fig. 3.) The two speed mechanism 38is ofany suitable construction commonly employed for driving washing and centrifuging apparatus of the domestic type. As the construction and operation of such two speed mechanisms are so well understood in the art, further description is deemed unnecessary. As shown, the mechanism 38 drives a sheave 42 by meansof a belt 43, the sheave 42 being suitably secured to the sh.aft 33 of the basket. The two speed mechanism 38 and the motor 39 are carried by the casing 18 by means of a series of supporting brackets generally indicated at 44.

During operation of the basket at centrifuging speed and during acceleration of the basket to such speed, objectionable vibrations may be excited in the suspended unit 10 because of any load unbalance in the basket. Due to the pendulum like support of the unit 10 from the rod 17, horizontal components of these vibrations are isolatedin part from the outer housing 11 and,therefore, the forces tending to slide the housing 11 on its support are reduced. Vertical components of the vibrations tendingto lift the machine are resisted bythe massof the unitlfl as well .93 -..as.the..housing.11. This. method of supportingthe unit 10 is disclosed and claimed in-,.the copending application of E. K. Clark, Serial No. 387,108, filed Oct. 20, 1953, and 2:assignedrtozthe;:assignee of the present application. The 1purposezofthisgmethod ofrsuspension of'the unit10 iszto permit winaxfree standing. machine, a higher centrifuging speed than ispobtainable .Where the unit 10 is fixed to'the outerhousing 11.

{Washing .wateryis admitted to the machine in any conventional manner. :Aszshown, hot and cold water is conveyed throughp respective ,conduits'45 and 46 to a water mixing device- 47 (Fig. 4). Water is conveyed from the watermixing'device'47 through a conduit 48. to an elevat- Gd' region 'of;the.;.honsing 11- and across an air gap49 ;,-.pf;a;-suitable vaeuumbreaker 51 and-thence through a -conduit, 5210 a-wateradrnissionorifice 53, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. .Thetwater mixingdevice 47 may be of any :conventional construction and employs a plurality of 1r.valves (not shown). foncontrolling the passage of water ifromfthefhotand cold'water conduits 45 and 46 to the --conduit 48. These valves are actuated by respective sole- ,;noids-5,4, 55;.and 5 6. It will be understood that when the solenoid/54 isqenergizedhot water is delivered from the ;,device ,17. for. ;,high Iemperaturewashing period. When the valve/55,;is energized, a lower temperturernixture of .1 hot; android-water, is delivered to'the conduit48 and, 'when .thesolenoid 56 ;is energized, cold water alone is -.deliv eredto the conduit 48. The latter operation occurs duringdrying-periods, the cold water being employed for condensing-vapor from the air inthe condensing compartment 21- asset forth in detail hereinafter.

- Vitiated wateriis discharged from the casing 18 prefer- .ably'by means ofa centrifugal pump 57, the intake of which is connected to the conduit 24. The pump discharges into; a-conduit 58 extending outwardly through -,the ,rrear wall ofthe housing 11 to a suitable point of discharge (Fig.2). Since there is no valve connected .-in,the water discharge system, the conduit 24, the pump ;'57and.the portion of the dischargev conduit 58, which is .below the';level-of water in the casing 18 are flooded when wateris contained within the casing 18. Accordingly, it .is understood that the discharge conduit 58 must extend to a point above the level of the water in order ,to preclude gravitation of water from the tub through this conduit. The dischargeof water from the tub is, of :course, effected by starting operation of the pump. The .pump. may be driven by the main motor 39 in any .suitable manner. ASzSl'lOWIl, a friction wheel 59 having a ,resilient.tread-iszdrivenbythe motor 39 and is engageable with a second friction wheel 61 driving the pump (see Figs. .12 and-3). Operation of the pump -57:is terminated by disconnectingthe. friction wheels 59 and 61. As shown,-the upur npn57,is .carried' by awbracket63suspended from, a pivot pin 64, the latter being supported by a bracket 65 ;-secured; in: any wellunderstood manner to the casing 18. A-tension spring 66 biases thepump 57 to the left, as viewed. in Fig. 2, so that the'friction wheels 59 and ,61 areengaged for thedriving .of the pump. In order to disengage the friction wheels 59 and 61, a magnet. 67 ..is-provided, ,the movablearmature ,68 of which is :con- ,nected to the pump 57 by a link 69. Upon energization of -the magnet 67,,thelink 69 and pump, 57 are swung ,to the right,'as viewed in Fig.- 2, for the separationof the :friction wheels59-and 61. It' will be understood that the conduits 24 and 58., are flexible to permit the recited move .ment of thepump 57.

-1 Consideration will now be given to the air circulating apparatus which-is effective during thev clothes drying pe- ;'-1'i0d5. Referring-first to thecondenser, the condensing '.-eompartment--21-is preferably formed by ashell 71. which,

.iiflj;CI'QSS2SGCtiOI1,';iS;Ch8I1Ilel shaped, as best shown in Fig. 58 The,shell 71i";hasopposed.,side walls, 72, the inner .cendszof'which;;arersecured to an arcuate ,.portion"74 of :;the casing-.18 ;in1anyzsuitablemanneras by welding. The enpperendtof the.; ccndensing:- ompar ment; 21.- is,.c1o

by a head 75 having an air passage 76 formed therein.

4 The.head75.may also includethe Water admissionQIifice 53 referred to heretofore, as best shown in Fig. 1. Adjacent the upper end of the shell 71, a baffie or tray 77 is arranged transversely within the condensing compartment 21. This tray 77 is suitably secured within the shell 71 with its side margins spacedfrom the side walls 72 to form relatively narrow passages indicated at 78. Also the inner edge of the tray or baffie 77 is spaced from the arcuate wall portion 74 to define relatively narrow passages 79. The tray 77 is further provided with a pair of relatively large openings 81 for the passage of air moving upwardly in the condensing compartment 21. The water admitting orifice 53 is indicated in broken linesin Fig. 8 and it will be noted that the water is discharged in a mid portion of the tray 77 for passage throughthe slots 78 and 79. In order to prevent the water from pouring over the edge of the air openings 81, the edges of the baflie 77 forming these openings are turned upwardly asindicated ati82 to form dams.

The purpose of the tray 77 is to insure that the cooling water of the condenser flows in a film'downwardly over the walls forming the condensing compartment 21 and particularly over the wall 74. By passing the cooling water in a thin film through the compartmentZl, the heat transfer area between the water and the air is maintained at a high value for the eflicient abstraction of heat from the air by the water. The baflle will also form the washing Water admitted to the machine in a film for passage over the walls of compartment 21 and thereby maintain the surfaces of these walls in a clean condition.

The air which moves upwardly within the condensing compartment 21 travels through the air passage 76 and enters a downwardly extending duct 83, the lower portion of which communicates with the casing 84 of a blower 85. The runner of the blower is shown at 86 and driven by a suitable electric motor 87. The air discharged by the blower is heated by an electric heater 88 of any suitable construction and arranged within a shell v89. As shown, the heater 88 is of the sheathed type. Preferably, heat insulating material, not shown, is packed around the heater shell 89 to reduce the radiation ofheat therefrom to the surrounding atmosphere.

In accordance with the present invention, the relatively dry heated air passing from the heater 88 travels through .a valve mechanism, generally indicated at 91, and thence through an air discharge opening 92 formed in the bottom portion of the chute 26. As shown, a screen 93 may be arranged in the opening 92 to prevent articles of clothing from entering the valve mechanism 91. The heated air discharged through the opening 92 is directed through the open front of the basket 31 and directly into contact with the tumbling fabrics. Accordingly, a relatively large area of the bundle of fabrics is presented to the stream of heated air at all times and the vaporization of water from the fabrics is carried out in the most eflicient manner. The humidified air passes through. the opening 22 at the bottom of the casing and enters :the condensing compartment 21. As this air passes upwardly through the compartment 21, it is subjected to the relatively large area of the cold water film passing downwardly over the walls of the compartment 21. The temperature ofthe air is depressed substantially below its dew point temperature so that vapor in the air is condensed and precipitated in the compartment 21 for discharge by the pump 57 along with the cooling Water. It might also be pointed out at this time that lint particles carried by the air are also entrained in the water and discharged by the pump. The cool, dried air leaving the condensingcompartment 21 passes through the openings 81 and the passage 76 for reheating by the heater 88 as described.

As best shown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, the valve mechanism 91 includes a body 94 which may be cast to provide inlet and outlet chambers 95 and 96. The body -941 has..a valve seat .97 intermediatesaid chambers. 95

and 96 and a valve member 98 having a resilient rim '9 cooperates with the seat 97. It will be noted that the valve seat 97 and the walls defining the outlet chamber 96 are sloped to drain any water entering the chamber 96 toward the opening 92 in the chute 26 for return to the casing 18. The valve 98 is carried by a pin 101 secure-d in an arm 102, the latter being welded or otherwise fixed to a shaft 103. As best shown in Fig. 5, the shaft 103 is journalled in the valve body 94 and has an actuating arm 104 secured to the outer end thereof. The latter arm 104 is linked, as shown at 105, to the armature 106 of an electro-magnet 107. The arrangement is such that, when the magnet 107 is deenergized, the armature 106 and valve member 98 are in the position shown in Figs. and 6. Accordingly, the valve 91 is closed to prevent the entrance of water splashing about in the chute 26 during washing periods from entering the heater shell 89. When the magnet 107 is energized the valve 91 is open to permit circulation of air to the chute 26, this position being effective during drying periods as described. Preferably, a tension spring 110 is employed to bias the actuating arm 104 and shaft 103 to the valve-closed position thereof.

The electromagnet 107 and the heater 88 are, preferably, energized and deenergized simultaneously by a suit able switching means, not shown, so that the valve 91 will be open at any and all times that the heater is rendered active for the heating of air. Another method of interlocking the valve 91 and heater includes a switch 108 carried by the valve body 94 and having a switch operating plunger 109. The latter is depressed from the position shown in Fig. 6 wherein the switch is open to the closed position of the switch 108 shown in Fig. 7 by a cam 111 carried by and movable with the valve actuating arm 104. It will be understood that the switch 108 is biased to its switch-open position at all times. The switch 108 is connected to control the heater 88 so that any time the magnet 107 is energized to open valve 91, the switch 108 will be closed by the cam 111 to render the heater 88 active. Switches of the type shown at 108 are well understood in the art and need not be further described.

During washing and rinsing periods, the fabrics are tumbled in the body of fluid in the casing 13 by the rotating basket, all of which is well understood. The body of water during these operations is agitated and splashed about. The entering of the agitated water into the air heater is prevented as the valve 91 is closed during these operations. At the conclusion of the final rinse period, the pump is operated, as described, by the deenergization of its magnet 67 and the engagement of the friction wheels 59 and 61. The vitiated rinse Water is discharged and operation of the pump continues throughout the centrifuging and drying steps which follow. During centrifuging, a substantial portion of the water contained in the fabrics is extracted and then removed by the pump. The drying step follows the centrifuging step and is initiated by energizing the heater 88, the fan 86 and the magnet 107 with the consequent opening of the valve 91. At this time, cold water is delivered to the condenser for condensing vapor in the air stream. The drying operation has been described heretofore in detail and need not be repeated. At the conclusion of the drying operation, the apparatus is deenergized and the washed and dryed fabrics may then be removed.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that an improved machine for washing and drying fabrics is provided wherein the heated air is effectively directed through the tumbling fabrics for the vaporization of water therefrom. The construction and arrangement of the apparatus is such that the washing waters are prevented from entering the air circulating and heating system even though the latter communicates with a region of the washing chamber adjacent the normal level of water therein.

While the invention has been shown in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is suceptible of various changes and moditications without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for washing and drying fabrics, the combination of a casing enclosing a washing and drying chamber, a perforate basket rotatable about a generally horizontal axis within said chamber for tumbling the fabrics in a body of washing water during washing periods and in a body of heated air for the vaporization of water from the fabrics during drying periods, said basket having an access opening formed in an end thereof, a chute extending upwardly and forwardly from the access opening and enclosing an inclined passage communicating with said access opening, said chute having an opening formed in the bottom thereof, a duct structure for conveying air through said opening in the chute and thence to said chamber, means for translating said air through the duct structure, means for heating the air, a valve mechanism including a hollow body fixed to the chute and the duct structure, a wall within the hollow body and extending transversely thereof, said wall being inclined toward the bottom of the chute for draining water to the chute, an annular wall member extending upwardly from said transverse wall and defining an air passage therewithin, said annular wall member having a valve seat formed in the upper end thereof, a valve cooperating with the seat and electrically operated means for closing and opening the valve mechanism during washing and drying periods of operation, respectively.

2. In a machine for cleaning and drying fabrics, the combination of a casing enclosing a cleaning and drying chamber, a perforate basket rotatable in said chamber about a generally horizontal axis for tumbling the fabrics in cleaning fluid and subsequently in a body of heated air for the vaporization of fluid from the fabrics, said basket having an access opening in one end thereof, a chute extending upwardly and forwardly from the access opening and defining an inclined passage communicating with said access opening, said chute having an opening formed in the bottom side thereof, a duct structure conveying air through said opening in the chute and thence to said chamber, means for translating air through the duct structure, means for heating the air, a valve mechanism including a hollow body secured to the chute and said duct structure, a wall extending transversely within the hollow body and inclined toward the bottom of the chute for the drainage of fluid to the chute, an annular wall member extending above the transverse Wall and enclosing a passage for air, said annular wall member having a valve seat formed on its upper side, a valve cooperating with said seat, a solenoid-operated mechanism for closing and opening the valve during the respective cleaning and drying periods and an electric switch interlocked with the valve and movable to closed and open stations as the valve is actuated to open and closed positions, respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,555,268 Chamberlin May 29, 1951 2,607,209 Constantine Aug. 19, 1952 2,635,632 Mayer et a1 Apr. 21, 1953 2,682,711 Wakefield July 6, 1954 

